Page 9 - Work Force November 2023

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My Union, My Voice, My CSEA: Our union holds 113th Annual Delegates Meeting
November 2023
The Work Force 9
BUFFALO — Hundreds of CSEA
the community. He also touted the members recently joined together at
dedication of our union members to our union’s 113th Annual Delegates
their communities.
Meeting to gain the knowledge and
“You’re ensuring that our
skills to help keep our union strong.
communities are cared for and
This year’s meeting, themed as
that our citizens have the services “My Union, My Voice, My CSEA,”
they pay for,” said Bello. “Good focused on education and training.
government is a partnership. Nobody Members attended numerous
does this alone and I am proud to workshops, department and
stand here with CSEA and all of our
l
e
g
division meetings and
public sector unions because
l
e
g
heard from inspiring
we are stronger together speakers. Our union
M
when we are working also honored several
together to fight for extraordinary
our employees, for members for their
our members of our achievements.
team and for our
CSEA President
community.”
Mary E. Sullivan
Saunders, who spoke about
discussed AFSCME’s challenges facing
ongoing efforts to
b
e
our union and urged
recruit and retain public members to continue to
o
,
workers, urged members stand together.
to build our union to keep it
o
,
“By fighting for what we know is
strong.
right, we improve our communities,”
“We must stick together and move said Sullivan. “When we do all this
forward together at this pivotal together, there is nothing that CSEA
moment in our union,” said Saunders. can’t accomplish.”
“You must build this great union and Speakers included Buffalo Mayor
take it to another level to become Byron Brown, Monroe County
stronger and more powerful.” Executive Adam Bello and AFSCME
DiNapoli assured members that International President Lee Saunders.
despite more uncertain economic New York State Comptroller Thomas
outlooks, their retirement benefits DiNapoli also addressed members by
remain secure.
video.
“Despite continued attacks, the Brown praised CSEA members
union movement is alive and well,” for their dedication to their
said DiNapoli. “Everywhere we look, communities.
labor is winning. When unions stand “Without CSEA, the public sector
and fight, good things happen. As would not be able to function and
CSEA members, you have power in serve Buffalo and Western New York
numbers, so stay united and keep
as well as it does in partnership with
organizing.”
public unions,” said Brown. “Your
Many of the ADM’s educational fight for better pay, better benefits
programs were designed to build
and better conditions will raise every
skills in leadership, representation worker’s quality of life.”
and encouraging member
Bello, who CSEA is endorsing for
participation.
reelection this year, spoke about
Among these programs was a
how his administration and he have
day-long session that gave members worked with our union to boost
an opportunity to plan and engage historically poor county staffing
in campaigns centering on political levels and how it has benefited
action, organizing, contract
campaigns, workplace issues and safety and health. They presented their campaigns during a general session the following day.
“My union, my voice, my CSEA. I am so proud,” said Sullivan. “Together, we have done some amazing things.”
— Janice Gavin
For more about the ADM, see pages 1, 2, 4, 5, 10-14
Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown welcomes ADM attendees to the city.
AFSCME International President
Lee Saunders urges members to stay union strong.
Monroe County Executive Adam Bello speaks at our union’s 113th Annual Delegates Meeting.
New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli addresses the 113th Annual Delegates Meeting with a video message.
CSEA President Mary E. Sullivan addresses our union’s 113th Annual Delegates Meeting.